Game apparatus



April 27 1926. 1,582,150

J. W. 'WEAVER GAME APPARATUS Filed March 551925 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Weave/t ATTORNEYS WITNESSES April 27 1926. J. W. WEAVER GAME APPARATUS Filed March 5, 1925 April 27 1926. 1,582,150

J. w. WEAVER em: APPARATUS Filed March 1925 8 Sheet s-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Yb/ab Willk' "Gavel:

' WITNESSES ATTORNEYS April 27 1926. 1,582,150

' J. w. WEAVER GAME APPARATUS Filed March 5. 1925 a Sheet S-Sheet 4 MENTOR fa/up m Mea a'.

ATTORNEYS April 27,1926.-

J. W. WEAVER GAME APPARATUS Filed March 5, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 XNVENTOR M6 was weal/e1.

BY M 6 ATTORNEYS WITNESSES April 27 1926.

V J. W. WEAVER GAME APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 5 1925 INVENTOR .7512, M446 IVavefi BY A5 I ATTORNEYS WITNESSES April 27 1926.

J. W. WEAVER GAME APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed March 5, 1925 Mad $3 \lvl/ mmvw INVENTOR fa/ac W WlTNESSES e1- BY k6 ATTORNEYS April .27 1926.

- J. W. WEAVER GAME APPARATUS Filed March 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR 70/110 Weaver.

ATTORNEYS ldatented 27, 1925.

JOHN WILLIS WEAVER, O3? ,BALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA.

GAME arranarns.

Application filed March 5, 1925. Serial No. 13,259.

To all echo-m it'may concern:

Be it known that I, Jenn W. lVnavnn, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Raleigh, in tee county of Wake and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful In'iprovemcnts in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a game apparatus, more particularly to apparatus for use in playing a game which involves the elements and principles of the game of baseball, and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements herein desc ibed and claimed. I

An object ofthe invention is the provision of a game apparatus of the character described which will atford facilities for the playing of a ame which is in the similitude of the usual hand played. game of baseball and which will involve elements, conditions and circumstances closely approximating like elements, conditions and circumstances of the actual game of baseball so that the re sult of the game will be determined both by chance and the differential of skill between the opposing players of the game.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a. game apparatus of the character described having playing units and equipment functioning during the playing of the game to bring about conditions, situations and results practically identical with the" conditions, situations and results of the actual game of baseball.

A further object of the invention is the provision in an apparatus of the character described of a novel pitching mechanism which is operable accordingto the skill of the manipulator thereof to determine the course that the ensuing play shall take and therefore to determine to a large extent the final outcome of the game.

A still further object of the invention is the provision in a game apparatus of the character described of a novel arrangement of stop elements and actuating mechanism which will function to permit or prevent movement of a base running elementaccording to whether or not a base runner would be permitted to advance or prevented from advancing in like circumstances in the ac tual game of baseball.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following plurality of operatin description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved game. apparatus with thecover of the case omitted.

Figure 2 is a plan. view of the apparatus with the field surface structure omitted,

Figure 3 is a central vertical section through thecomplete apparatus with the cover ofthe case in place, the view being taken substantially along the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective viewshowing the vertically movable'second base and third base stop of theapparatus together with the independent release mechanism for the thirdbasc stop,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing a corner portion of the game apparatus, including the back stop, the batting mechanism and partsassociated therewith and showing also the central or main motion transmitting member of the actuat- 1119;; mechanism for the several base stops,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pitching mechanism and its support,

Figure 7 is an endview of the structure exhibited in Figure 6, V

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the base stops together with the main or central actuating member of the mechanism for operating the stops, the connections between the central actuating member and the respective base stops and theconnections between a g members and the cen tral actuating member, 7 Figure 9 is aperspective view showing the base stops and the operating mechanism therefor exclusive of the central actuatin member and its connections, and I Figure 10 is, a perspective view showing the first base stop, the outfield operable operating mechanism for the first base stop tuating the second base stop.

The improved game apparatus is housed and the outfield operable mechanism for ac- 5 may be secured on one vertical wall of the case and the case may be provided with handles also, as indicated at 6, so that the case and the apparatus therewithin can be read ily moved on a supporting surface when the case is closed and has been uptilted from its normal position to rest upon the casters 5.

The playing field or game board is supported in the case, as by being secured to fixed supporting members such as indicated at "Z and 8 respectively in Figure 3, so that.

sufiicient space will be provided between the game board and the bottom of the case for the reception of operating mechanism to be presently described and at the same time portions of the vertical wall of the case will extend above the level of the highest portion of the game board and will serve as fences for the playing field.

The game board is formed to provide an infield, indicated at 9 in Figure 1, and an outfield which is separated trom the infield by a runway in the form of a groove or channel 10 in the surface of the game board. The infield is of the usual diamond shape. The portion of the game board at the head of the infield constitutes a batters box as indicated at 11. A backstop 12 is upstanding at the rearward end of the batters box and the latter is flanked by a pair of upstanding guard members 13. These side guard members 13 are secured to the back stop 12 at opposite ends of the latter and may extend rearwardly of thebach stop as shown in Figure 1 for connection with the vertical walls 2 of the case of the apparatus, whereby a space may be defined in the ease between the backstop 12, the rearward extensions 1S of the side guards 13 and the inner walls of said corner portions of the case.

Certain operating mechanism of the which will be hereinafter described is disposed in the space within the case back of the backstop 12 and between the rearward extensions 13 of the side guards 13.

The runway 10 terminates at one end at the right hand side of the right hand guard member 13, considering the game board as being viewed from the batters box, looking in the direction of the middle portion of the outfield. The corner portions of the run way constitute bases and beginning at the right hand end of the runway, the runway is formed at suitable places along its length to provide a first base 11, a second base 15 and a third base 16. The runway slopes gradually and regularly from its right hand end throughout its length and is merger at its other end into a groove 17 which extends in the surface of the game board at the left hand side of the batters box '11. The groove 17 slopes rearwardly from its juncture with the left hand end of the runway 10 and th y be termed e 11 1 6 a e apparatus A channel 18 is formed in the game board to extend directly across the infield from the right hand portion of the batters box 11 to the right hand end of the second base portion 15 of the runway 10. The channel 18 slopes gradually and regularly from the level of the batters box 11 at one end of the channel 18 to the level of the second base portion 15 of the runway 10 at the other end of the channel 18. also is formed to provide a channel 19 which extends from the left hand portion of the batters box across the infield nearly to the left hand end of the second base portion 15 and then is merged into a return channel 20 which is merged at its rearward end into the home base groove 1? at the juncture of the latter with the left hand end of the runway 10. The bottom wall of the channel ll) is level at its rearward end with the batters base 11 and then slopes regularly and gradually toward its juncture with the forward end of the channel 20. The latter slopes from. its juncture with the channel 19 toward its juncture with the home base 17.

A. channel 21 is provided in the game board to eitend obliquely across the outer field from the first base portion 14; of the runway 10 to the right hand corner of the case. The game board also is formed with a channel 22 which extends obliquely across the outer field from the second base portion 15 of the runway to the vertical walls of the case at the middle corner of the outer field. A channe 23 extends in the surface of the game board from the third base portion 16 to the vertical walls of the case at the left hand corner of theouter field. These channels 21, 22 and 23 slope regularly and gradually from their outer ends to their junctures with the indicated portions of the runway 10. A vertically edgewise division plate or fin 2-1 extends directly across the outer field from a point on the runway 10 midway between the first base 1% and the second base 15 to the adjacent vertical wall of the case. A similar division plate or fin extends directly across the outer field from a point on the runway 10 midway between the second base and the third base tothe adjacent vertical wall of the case.

The portion of the outer field that extends between the division fin and the groove 21 is indicated at and constitutes the right field fair territory but will. be referrcd to hereinafter simply as right field. The portion of the outer field which extends between the channel 21 and the guard member 13 at the right hand side of the, batters box constitutes right hand. foul territory and indicated at 27. The right field 2(3 slopes throughout its area toward both the channel 21 and the adjacent portions of the runway 10. The foul territory 27'slopes from its junct on with the adjacent vertical wall of The game board till the case toward the channel 21 and'adjacent portion of the runway 10.

The portion of the outerlield that extends between the division fins- 2% and 25 con- :28 that slopes from the division plate 2st toward the outer end portionof the channel 22, an intern'ieciate portion 29 that slopes .from the division plate 24: toward the channel 22 and is divided from the outer portion 28 for part or the distance from the division plate 24-. to the channel 29, by a rib or crest- 30, and an inner portion 81 which is divided from the intermediate portion 29 for part of the distance from the division plate 24: to the channel 22 by a rib or crest 32. The inner portion 31 of the right hand section of the center lie-id slopes throughout its area toward the adjacent portion of the runway 10 and may slope adjacent to the channel 22 toward that channels The left hand section or" the center field comprises an outer por tion 33 which slopes from the d'vision plate 25 toward the extreme outer end portion of the channel and is provided with a channel 34lwhich extends alongside the adjacentvertical wall of the case or in other words at the extreme outer edge of the portion from the division plate to the central corner of the center field, at which point it is merged into the outer end of the chan nel 22. The center field also includes an inner portion which is divided from the outer portion 33 by a ridge 36 which extends from the division plate 25 part of the distance to the channel The portion of the left hand section of the center field slopes throughout its area both toward the channel 22 and toward the adjacent portion of the runway 10. The portion of the outer field that extends between the division plate and the channel constitutes the left lield fair territory of the game hoard and will he hereinafter referred. to simply as the left field. Tl outer portion 37 which slopes from the division plate 25 outwardly toward a channel 38 which extends alongside of the adjacent ver tical wall of the case from the division plate 25 to the outer end of the'channel 23. The left field also includes an intermediate portion 39 which slopes toward the meeting end portions of the channels 38 and 23 and is divided from the outer port-ion 37 by a ridge 41-0 and from on inner portion 41 of the left field by a ridge 42. The inner portion e1 of the left field slopes throughout its area toward the adjacent portion of the runway il mid. the port on thereof adjacent swingable vertically hut normally re left field includes an.

the level of the latterat the i to the channel 23 also slopes toward that channel. I

The portion or the outer iield which extends between the channel 23, leftchand end portion of the runway 10, home base 17 and the adjacent verticalwall of the case is the left hand foul territory of the held and may cc-uiiprise an inner portion 42 that slopes toward the adjacent portion of the runway 10 and the home base 1? and an outer pom tion that slopes toward the channel 2-3.

The corner portion ofthe case nearestto the hatters box is severed from the reinainder or the case along a vertical plane and is attached to one vertical wall o'lf toe casehy hinges 44 as shown in Figures 1 and 5 and sectional contour and is adaptedwhcn closed to cover the opening rcsult' g from the separation of said corner portion, indicates at 45, from the remainder of the case. I The door of the batters box is extended as indicated at 46 to provide a'tioor for the space l ween theest i one 13 at the rear of? the i stop 19, said space being indicated at in Figure 5 and oeing closed at its rearward end by a vertical wall which spans the space between adjacent vertical walls of the case. The ha or striking 1116111361 g is supported at its up c end, as at 50 in the upper end portion of gular opening; in the middle portion of the hack stop 12 to swing i'orwa dly and up wardly about a horizontal axis;

Bumpers, as at 52, at the lower end of the opening 51 limit the swinging movement of the striking member 49 in a rearward direc tion so that the striking member 49 is not permitted to swing rearwardly to vertical position but will be inclined slightly to the perpendicular when in rearwardly swung position. The mechanism for actuating the hat or striking member 49 and for controlling the movements of the latter is housed within the space ll and includes a carrying block which pivotally attached ati5 l to a supporting block withinthe space 47. The carrying hlocl: 53 is maintained by gravity upon'the block 55 so that alatch plate which is secured to thetforward side of the block 53 and extends below ward end of the supporting block will en age with the upturned rearward jendport-ion 5? of a rearwardly and downwardly extending hracltet arm 58 on the lower end portion of the striking member 49, wh reby the striking meniher normally will maintained in its rear-c wardly swung or set position. A. horizontal rock shaft 59 1s ournaled in the arms of a bracket 60 attached to the upper portion of thest-riking member l9 and is in tegral with the rearward a-rnrGl oi? upendant substantially ll-shaped trigger The thus defines a door that is angulai in cross substantially rectanrearward arm of thetrigger 62 is continuously in contact with the forward edge of a forwardly and downwardly turned exten sion or upper end portion 63 of the latch plate 56. The web of the trigger 82 extends through a vertical slot 6 1: in the striking member 19 so that the forward arm of the trigger, indicated at 65, normally will be maintained in front of the striking member 49 as a result of the action of the downwardly actuated latch plate on the trigger. However, a blow on the forward arm o the trigger from a point at the front of the striking member will cause the tr gger to swing rearwardly in the slot (Bl about the axis of the rock shaft 59 and the latch platt 56 and block will be pushed upwardly and rearwardh: by the rearwardly swinging trigger, thereby disengaging the latch plate from the upturned rearward end portion 57 of the bracket arm 58 and releasing the striking member l9. It is to be observed at this point that the latch plate 56 may maintained normally in position to Ql'l u ij, with the upturned rearward end portion a? of the bracket arm 58 not only because the action of gravity but because of the notion of an expansion spring 66 which reacts its forward end against the rearward face of the block 58 and at its rearward end. against the block 67 at the rear of the sup porting block 55. The block 67 has the upper surface thereof inclined, as clearly shown '11 Fig. 5 and carries an arched rest plate (38 over which extends the rearward end portion of a spring bar 69. The extreme ward end portion of the spring bar 69, rearwardly of the rest plate 68, is provided with a slot 70 for the reception of a screw 71 which is secured in the block 67. 'A portion of the spring bar 69 which is located forwardly of the rest plate 68 is slotted as indicated at 7:2 and is retained against the upper face of the block 6? by a clamping plate 7-3 and a screw Tel which extends through an opening in the clamping plate and through the slot 72 into the block 67. The spring bar 69 is bent downwardly and rcarwardly adjacent to its forward end at 75 and then forwardly and upwardly at 76 to provide a socket for the reception of a horizontal bar 77 which has forwardly turned end portions 78 secured at 79 to the striking member 4-9. The spring 69 is normally under stress when the striking member 49 is in its rearwardly swung position because of the engagement of the bar 77 with the forward end portion of the spring bar and therefore when the striking member 19 is released from the latch plate 56, the spring bar 69 will act to impel the striking member 49 forwardly and upwardly at high velocity.

The striking member l9 also is provided with vertical slots 80 and 81 respectively which flank the slot ea and through which t'iggers 82 respectively extend. The gers 82 are integral with pendant arms 83 on aligned horizontal rock shafts 8% which are journaled in brackets 85. The brackets 85 are secured to the striking member 49 below the level of the bracket 60. R'earwardly extending rocker arms 86 at the outer ends of the rocker arms 8a are connected by a horizontal bar 87. A tension spring 88 is attached at its upper end to the bar 87 and at its lower end to the floor it} and tends to maintain the triggers 82 forwardly of the plane of the front face of the striking member. The impact of 1 blow on either one of the triggers 82 will cause upward swinging movement of the bar 8'? against the action of the spring 88. A horizontal rock shaft 89 which is journaled in bearings 90 secured to the back stop 12 is integral with a rocker arm 91 which rests 113011 the bar 87. The rock shaft 89 also carries a rocker arm 92 which inclines downwardly and reai'iuirdly from its juncture with the rock shaft 89 and has limited swinging movement between cooperating stops 93 and 9% respectively which are carried by the back stop 12. The lower end portion of the rocker arm 92 is formed as clearly sho vn in Figure 5 to serve as a clapper, indicated at 95, for engaging with a bell 96 which is secured on the floor 4:6, whereby an audible signal will be given when either one of the triggers 82 is pressed or forced rearwardly from its normal position into its slot in the striking member 9.

The pitching mechanism is illustrated to advantage in Figures 6 and 7 and comprises a throwing arm 97 supported on a shaft 98 which extends between and has the opposite end portions thereof supported in aligned openings in the side members 99 of a frame which is indicated generally at 100. The side members 99 of the frame are connected to each other at their opposite ends by cross members 101 and 102, respectively. A torsion spring 193 encircles the shaft 98 and is attached at one end to the arm 97 intermediate the length of the latter and at its opposite end to a ratchet wheel 10 1. The ratchet wheel 10% is loose on the shaft 98 but is held against rotation in one direction about the axis of the shaft 98 by the engagement of a spring linger 195 with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, the spring finger being rigidly secured at one of its ends by screws 106 to the cross member 101. The torque which the spring 1925 exerts on the arm 97 therefore can be *aried within limits by rotating the ratchet wheel on the shaft to wind the spring 193 and the torque which the spring 103 exerts on the arm 97 will be maintained at a predetermined point because the engagement of the spring finger 105 with the ratchet wheel 19 1 normally will prevent unwinding of thespring 103. The

+19 when actuated by the spring 103.

free end portion of the arm 97 carries a substantial cylindrical holder or cup 107 which is shown asbeing partially closed at its lower end by adiametrical pin 108. The cup or holder is provided with a guard lip 109. [is shown in Figures 1 and 3, a slot 110 extends in the infield portion of the game board midway between thechannels" 18 and 19 from the floor of the battersbox toward second base. As shown in Figure 7 this slot is enlarged in width from its upper to its lower end. A standard 111 is upstanding from the forward end portion of a handle 112 and extends loosely through the slot 110. Elie stands "d 111 isrigidly secured at its upper end to the frame 100 the pitching; mechanism so that the frame 100 will be substantially parallel to the han dle 112 and the arm 97 will swing in the general direction of the propelling member The handle 112 extends.rearwardly in the space between the game board and the bottom of the case beneath and rearwardly of the batting mechanism, the rearward end portion of the handle being received within the space within the angular door 15 wl'ien the latter is in closed position and being accessible when the door is open. The frame 100 is movablysupported on the infield portion of the gen board by means of a slide member 113 which rests flatwise upon the game board and spans the slot 110. The; slide member 113 has a vertical lug 11-1 up; standing therefrom at the approximate cen ter of the slide member. The upper end portion of the lug 11 1 is provided with a horizontal opening with .whiehthe eye of an attaching member 115 that depends from the frame 160 is engaged, the connection of the attaching member 115 with the frame being in the same vertical plane as the longgpi-v tudinal median line of the frame, whereby the frame is permitted to rock about its longitudinal axis and also is capable of limited axial movement about an axis extending subs antially at right angles to the direction of lo; rth of the fame 1G6 and diametrically of the opening in the upper end portion of the lug 1141. Moreover, the connection of the frame 100 with the lug; 1141 being a loose pivotal connection, the frame 100 is capable of limited turning movement about an axis extending longitudinally of the lug 11%.

A rock shaft 116 spans tl e sidemembers 99 of the frame 100 forwardly of the shaft 98 and isjournaled in aligned transicrsc openings in the side members 99. The roclr shaft 116 has an offset portion 11: located between the side members 99 in position to engage with a projection 118 at the extremity of the enlarged lower end portion of the arm 97 and to then hold the arm 97 against swinging from the position shown in Tigur 6, the offset portion-117 thus constitutinga swinging latch and a spring 119 which connects the offset portion 117 of the rock shaft 116 *ith the cross member 101 at the rear of the frame 100 functions to hold the offset portion 117 in engagement with the projcc .tion 118. The offset portion 117 of the rock shaft can be swung out of engagement with the projection 118 by rocking the shaftllG in a clockwise direction. This may be accomplished by imparting motion to the rock shaft 116 through a rocker arm 120 which is joined to the roclr shaft 116, a linlr 121, a rocker arm 122 of a rock shaft 123 which is journaled in a bearing 12-1- on the forward end of the frame 100, a rocker arm 125 which is joined to the rock shaft 123 and tends from the latter in a direction opposite to the rocker arm 122, and a pull rod 126 which is slidably supported in aligned open-v ings in the guide brackets 127 which are secured to the handle 112.1The pull'rod 126 is formed with the. rearward end portion thereof bent upwardly and then across the hendle 112 to provide a substantially U- shaped thumb piece as indicated at 128. The free end of this thumb piece slides in contact with a metal strip 129 which is secured to the handle 112 and has the rearward end portion thereof bent outwardly at 130m provide a stop for engaging with the thumb piece 128 to limit the axial movement of the pull rod 126 along the handle toward the free end of the handle and in the direction required to transmit motion to the rocker arm 125 and then through the rock shaft 123, rocker arm 122, link 121. rocker arm 120 and rock shaft 116 to the offset portion or latch 117 of the rock shaft 116. result of such motion, the latch 117 will be swung out of engagement with the projcc tion 118.011 the arm 97 and the latter will swing as a result of the action of the spring 103 in the general direction of the propelling nemoer of the batting mechanism and until the free end portion of the arm 97 strikes a bumper 131 onthe forward end port-ion of the frame 100.

A coil spring 101.2 which is attached atone end to the pull rod 12" adjacent to the forboard is transversely curved substantially along an arc of acircle so that a ball which has been placed therein will roll freely there along. The equipment used with the game boardin the playing; of the game includes a set of nine'ballsmade of steel or other rela- As a tively heavy material. Each of these balls is adapted to roll along any one of the hereinbefore mentioned channels or grooves and will be hereinafter referred to as base running balls. These nine balls represent the nine players of a baseball team and the respective balls may be marked to indicate the positions of the ball players whom they represent. In addition, the equipment for the playing of the game comprises one or more lighter balls adapted to be placed in the cup or holder 107 on the throwing arm 97 and to be thrown from the cup by centrifugal force to "ard the propelling member 4-9 of the batting mechanism when the throwing arm 9? is swung by the action of the spring 103 forwardly and downwardly from the position shown in Figure 6. The last mentioned balls will be hereinafter referred to as the pitch ing balls and only one of such balls is used at any given time during the playing of the game. The base running balls and the pitching ball or balls may be held in a case indicated at 13% which is disposed in the foul territory of the playing field in a position corresponding to that of a players bench in a park for the playing of an actual game of baseball. The case 134i may have a hinged lid or cover 135. Substantially U shaped stop strips having the arms thereof flaring outward at their extremities are pivotally attached to the game board in the )ositions which would be occupied on a field for playing the actual game of baseball by the right fielder, the first baseman, the second baseman, the center fielder, the short stop, the right fielder, and the third baseman. The fielding stops are indicated at 136 and each is turned about its pivotal connection with the game board so that the arms thereof will face up the slope of the inclined surface on which the fielding stop is disposed so that a ball rolling down the slope is likely to lodge between the arms of the fielding step. A substantially Y- shaped member 137 which is termed the catcher is positioned in the batters box 11 with the arms or branches of the Y-shaped member at the forward end of the batters box. The side faces of the member 137 are curved concavely longitudinally of the member and respectively are adapted to deflect a ball that may roll thereagainst into the channel 18 and into the channel 19 for a purpose to be presently described.

In the playing of the game, a base running ball is placed in the runway at the right hand side of the batters box and will be retained against movement along the runway by a stop pin 138 which is movable vertically in an opening in the bottom of the runway 10 adjacent to the right hand side of the batters box and which normally protrudes from the opening in the bottom of the runway and prevents movement of the base running ball along the runway toward first base. The stop 138 may be termed the batters stop and may be actuated by means which will be presently described to move downward until flush with the bottom of the runway. The base running ball then is permitted to roll along the runway to the first base portion of the runway but normaily will be prevented from further movement in the runway by a vertically movable first base stop pin 139 which protrudes from a vertical opening in the bottom of the runway adjacent to the first base portion 1%. The first base stop 139 likewise can be actuated by means to be presently described and moved downward until flush with the bottom of the runway and the base running ball may then proceed along the runway to the second base portion 15 in which place it will contact with a second base stop 1-10 which normally protrudes from an opening in the bottom of the runway adjacent to the second base portion 15. hen the second base stop 14-0 has been actuated to move downward until flush with the bottom of the runway, the base running ball may move along the runway to the third base portion of the runway. A third base stop 141 which normally protrudes through an opening in the runway adjacent to the th rd base portion 16 of the runway will prevent movement of the base running ball past third base toward the home base 1'? until the third base stop 141 has been moved downward as a result of actuation by means which will be presently described until it is flush with the bottom of the runway. The base running ball then may proceed past third base along the runway 10 into the home base 17.

The batters step 138 is pivot-ally attached its lower end to the outer end of an arm 1 12 which extends latera ly of and is rigid with a rocker arm 143 on a rock shaft 1 1 The rock shaft 1% is horizontal and is jourualed in aligned openings in the upper ends of brackets 1&5 and 1&6 respectively which are secured on the bottom 1 beneath the game board. A rocker arm 1 17 on the rock shaft 144 extends in the direction opposite to the rock shaft 143 and carries a weight 1&8 which serves to swing the rocker arm 1%? downward against the bottom 1 and to thus elevate the stop pin 138, whereby the latter normally is maintained in its raised or operative position. The stop pin 139 is pivotally attached at its lower end to the outer end of a rocker arm 1&9 on a rock shaft 150. The rock shaft 150 is horizontal and is journaled in aligned openings in brackets 151 which are secured on the bottom 1. A rocker. arm 152 on the rock shaft150 extends in a direction opposite that of the rock shaft 119 and carries a weight which tends to hold the rocker arm 152 against the bottom 1 and the stop pin 139 in raised or operative posiltl (ion. The second base stop is pivotally attached at its lower end to the outer end of in raised or operative position. The stop pin 141 is pivotally attached at its lower endto the outer end of arocker arm 159 on a horizontal rock shattltiO. The rock shaft 160 is ournaled 1n aligned openings in the u iiright. portions of brackets 1631 on the bot-' tom 1 and has a second rocker arm 162 which carries a weight 163 and extends in the direction opposite that of the rocker arm whereby the stop pin 141 normally will be maintained in raised or operative position The invention provides means operable to depress all of said stops 138, 189, lelO and 1-11 simultaneously. Such means includes a central motion transmitting element hav ing the form 01 a. rotary disl" 16a: mounted on a vertical shaft 165 which is supported on a block 166secured to the bottom 1. The shaft 165 is braced by a brace member 167. The rotary disk 164 is provided with live spaced radially extending I arms 168, 169, 170 171 and 172 res ectively. is in contact with an upstanding rocker arm 173 on a horizontal roclr shaft 17% which is journaled in openings in brackets 175 and 116. The rock shaft 174 has oppositely extending" rocker arms l'cTand 178 respec tivelyi The rocker arm 177 extends across the rocker arm 1 12'wn1le the roclrer arm'178 carries a weight 179 which acts to hold the upstanding rocker arm 173 in contact with the radial arm 168 and tends toprevent the rocker arm 177 from exerting any pressure on the rocker arm 1 12.

An upstanding rocker arm 180 on the horizontal rocl: shaft. 181 is continuously in contactwith the radial arm 1Y2; The rock shaft 181 is journaled in aligned openings in brackets 182 and 183 and has oppositely e2:- tending rocker arms 184 and 185 respectively. The rocker arm 184; carries a weight 186 and the rocker arm 185 hasthe outer end portion thereof resting upon the rocker arm 1-1?) but normally does not exert any pressure on the rocker arm 1&9 will be un- (lei-stood.

jin upstanding rock shaft 187 on a horizontal rock shaft 188 is continuously in contact with the radial arm 171. The rock shaft 188 is journaled in openings in braclr ets 189 and 190 on the bottom 1 and carries a laterally ext-ending rocker arm 191 which extends underneath the rocker arm 15?.

An upstanding rocker arm 192 on the horizontal rock shaft- 193 is continuously in contact with the radial arm 110. The rock shaft 193 is journaled in'aligned openings and carries a weight 158. v The stop pin The arm 168 v cated at inbrackets 19% and. 195 respectively. The brackets 19dand 19 are see red on the bottom 1 and the rock shaft 193 carries a laterally extending rocker arm 1% which-e2:- tends across the rocker arm A rocker arm 19? extends from therock shaft 193 in the direction opposite that of the rocker arm 196 and car ies a weight 128. it will be understoodthet the weight 198 will act to hold the rocker 192 continuously in con-- tact with the radial arm 110 and will prevent the arm 1% froinexerting any pres-- sure-on the rocker arm 159 when the hereinbet'ore described motion transmitting ele- 11131113 are in a position or rest. it will be manifest from the foregoing that the respective stops 138, 139, 1410 and 141 will be depressed simultaneously as a. result oi? motion transmitted thereto when the dish 16-: is

turned in a clockwise direction about the axis of the vertical shaft 165, from the position shown in Figure 8 and that the respective stops will return instantly to raised or active'positions as soonas the torque on tends rearwardly in the space between the bottom 1 and the game board and is pr vlded beneath the floor 16 of the space 1? with oppositely extending rocker arms 20S and 204 respectively. The rocirer arm 203' t205 while the rocker arm orally turned end portion indi 206 which extends underneath the laterally turned lower end portion 07 of a substantially verticalpueh rod which comprises a lower section 208 which is slidable in the vertical opening in ahoriaoutal arm at the upper end ofa guide bracketQOS) and an upper section 210 which is pivotally attached at its longer end to the upper end of the section 208 and is pivotally attached at carries a wei 204- has a lat its upper end to the outer end of the rocker arm 211 and the rock shaft 212. The section 208 of the vertical push rod extends through an opening in the floor as best seen in Figure 3. The rock shaft 212 is journaled in alignedhorizontal openings in upstanding; arms or brackets 21-3 and 21 1 re spectively which are secured on the E001 elti. The rock shaft 212 has a downwardly oils-ct and laterally turned intermediate portion 21510 which is attached one end of a retractile spring 216 having the other end thereof llti -ttaohed to the hack stop 12. T he rock shat t 12 is provided with a rocker arm 217 which ends parallel to the rocker arm under- .th the rod 77 (see Fig. The spring 1 acts to rock the shaft 212- to maintain h rocker arm 21? continuously in contact with the rod 7? although a weight 218 on the rocker arm 211 substantially balances the action of the spring 216. The upper sec n 210 of the substantially Vertical pusl rod is held against any appreciable lateral movement by a guide 219 with which the upper section 210 is in sliding contact. {i hen the propelling member 4-9 of the hattin mechanism is released from the latch plate 56, it is swung forward and upward and the rod I? is swung downward and forward, thereby swinging the rock shatt 21? downward and causing a like moren'ientoi the rock shat't 211 against the action of the spring 216. 'l he downward movement of the outer end of the rock shaft 211 causes downward movement of the push rod 210208 whereby the rocker arm 20%.- will be swung downwlird and the rock shait will 1-, locked in a counter-clockwise direction which will cause swinging of the upstanding rocker arm 199 in contactwith the radial arm 169 in the direction required to cause turning of the disk 16-1; in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Figure 8, whereby the respective stops 1239 1 10 and 1&1 will be depressed simultaneously when the propelling member s19 01 the hatt-ing mechanism swings forward and pward from set position. The invention also pro-- rides means other than that which has just been described for actuating the disk 16-1 to cause depression or all 01 said stops 138, 189, 1st) and 141 simultaneously. The last named actuating means comprises a rock shaft 220 which extends in the space between the bottom 1 and he game board nearly to the can tortield portion of the game board and is journaled in aligned horizontal openings in upstanding arms of brackets 2 1, 222 and respectii ely. These brackets are secured on the bottom 1. An upstanding rocker arm 22-1- at the inner end of the rock shaft 220 is in contact continuously with the radial arm 172 on the disk 16 t. The rock shaft 220 is provided at its outer end with oppositely extending rocker arms 225 and 226 respectively. the rocker arm carrying a weight 227 which acts to hold the rocker arm 22G raised from the bottom 1 ot the case and the upstanding rocker arm 22st in contact with the radial arm 172 on the disk 16%. The outer portion 28 ot the right hand section at the centeriieldportion of the game hoard is provided with a slot or aperture 228 adjacentto the extreme outer end of the channel A rock shaft 229 extends transversely oi the aperture 228 at the end of the latter nearest to the division plate 2 1 and carrics a rocker plate 230 which substantially fills the aperture 228 and is rigid with the rock shaft 22%). The rock shaft 229 has a laterally turned rocker arm 231 which carries a we'e'ht The outer end portion of the rocker arm is curved laterally and extends across the tree end p rtion of the rocker arm 231. The arrangement is such that when the free end portion of the roe-her plate 230 is depressed, the free end portion of the rocker arm 231 will be raised and the rocker arm 226 will be raised also, thus aiding the weighted rocker arm 225 in turning the rock shaft 220 in the direction required to transmit me 'on through the upturned rocker arm i to the radial arm 172 so that the disk 1641- will be rotated in a clockwise direction and the respective stops 138, 139, 1&0 and 1111 will be depressed.

In addition to the hereinbetore described means for actuating the stops 138, 139, 1 10 and 1&1 simultaneously, the invention provides means for actuating the respective stops 139, 140 and 1 11 independently of one another.

The means for depressing the first base stop 139 independently or the other stops comprises a horizontal rock shaft 233 journaled in aligned openings in vertical arms of brackets 23%; and extending within the space between the game board and the bottom 1 from the infield to the left hand section of centcrtield. The rock shaft 233 is provided at its inner end with oppositely eX- tending rocker arms 235 and 236 respectively, the rocker arm 235 carrying a weight 237 and the rocker arm, 236 having the outer end port-ion thereof curred laterally and arranged to extend across the rocker arm 1 19. The rock shat 233 is provided at its outer end with a rocker arm 238 which extends laterally ot the rock shaft at the same side of the latter as the rocker arin 236. The outer end portion or the rocker arm 238 is bent laterally of said rocker arm as indicated at 239 in Figure 10. A rock shaft 210 is journaled in aligned openings in the bracket 241 which is positioned beneath the channel 3 1. The rock shaft 2&0 has a lateral arm 2&2 extending across the laterally turned end portion 239 of the rocker arm 238 and has rocker arm 243 extending in the direction opposite the arm 212. The

rock shaft 240 also has a control member or lever in the form of a rocker arm 2 1 1 which extends laterally of the same side of the rock shaft 240 as the arm 2%:2 and has an inclined presser portion 2% arranged to extend through a slot 2L6 in the bottom wall of the channel 2:24 adjacent to the outer end of the latter. The rocker arm 243 carries a weight 2%? which acts to raise the presse portion 245 of the control member to position to protrude from the slot 216 in the channel 34. hen the presser portion 2-15 of the control member is depressed in the slot246, the rocker arm will be forced downward in contact with the laterally turned end porof brackets 249 which are positioned beneath the inlield portion oi the game board. The rock shaft 2&9 is provided at its opposite ends with rocker arms 250 and 251 respectively, both extending at the same side 01" the The rocker arm 250 extends rock shalt. across the rocker arm 149 wlule the rocker arm 251 extends underneath the rocker arm 252 on a rock shaft 253 which is journaled in aligned horizontal openings in the arms of a bracket 254;. A rocker arm 248" extends l ronrtlie rock shaft 249 oppositely to the arms 250 and and carries a weight 248". The rock shaft 253 has a rocx r arm 255 extending in a direction opposite the rocker arm 252 and carrying a weight 256. A controlmembcrfor rocking the shaft 253 is in the form of a rocker arm 257 extending laterally of the same side ot' a rock shaft as the rocker arm and having a raised inclined presser portion 258 projecting through a slot 259 in the bottom orthe channel 18. It therefore will be manifest that when the prcsser portion 258 of the control member is depressed in the slot 259, the rocker arm 252 will be swung downward and will ca my the rocker arm 251 downward, thus causing the first base stop 39 to be depressed.

A means for depressing the second base stop l-l0 independently of the remaining stops also illustrated in Figure 9 and comprises a horizontal rock shaft 260 journaled in aligned openings in brackets ihil. and having a laterally turned rocker arm 2"2 at one end thereof. The rock sl t .150 has oppositely extending rocker arms 263 and 26% respectively. The rocker arm 263 carries a weight 265 while the rocker arm 26%: extends laterally ot the same side of the rock shaft 260 of the rocker arm 262 and has a laterally turned end portion 266 extending across the rocker arm 155%. A control member in the form of a rocker arm 267 on a rock shaft 268 is journaled in aligned horizontal openings in, the arms ot' the brackets 965' which are locatedbeneath the portion of the runway 10 between first base and second base. Intermediate portion of the control member 267 is arched to provide a presser portion 270 which protrudes within the runway from a slot 271 in the bottom of the portion of the runway 10 between first base and second base. Thefree end portion of the control member 267 extends across the outer end portion of the rocker arm 262. The rock shaft 268 carries a rocker arm 27 which extends from the rock shaft in a direction opposite to that of the control member 26? and carries a. weight 273, whereby the arched portion 270 of the control member, whicn also is inclined as shown, normally is maintained in raised position. It is obvious that depression of the control member will cause the rocker arm 262 to be swung downward, thereby, rocking the shaft 260 and causing the rocker arm'Qfi ae to swing cownward and to impart like motion to the rocker arm 254,,whereby the second base stop 1&0 will be depressed. 1

Figure 9 also illustrates an additional means for depressing the second base stop l i-0' independently of the remaining stops which comprises a rock shaftfliel which is journaled in alignedhorizontal openings in brackets 275 and is provided at one end with. oppositely extending lateral rocker arms 276 and 277 respectively, the roclrerarm 27G extending across the rockerv arm 15st and the rocker arm 277 carrying aweight 278. The rock shaft 27etis provided at its other end wit-ha laterally extending rocker arm 279 which extends oppositely of the same side of the rock shaft- Q'M as the rocker arinQTS. The rock shatt2 74 is provided at its other end with a. laterally extending rocker arm 279 which extends to the same side of the rock shaft 27% as the rocker arm 276." The rocker arm 280 on a rock shaft 281 whichis journa-led in aligned horizontal openings in brackets 282 extends across the rocker arm 2: 9. A rock shaft 281 also is provides with a. rocker arm 2-83 extending laterally of the rock shaft 281 inv the side of the latter opposite the rocker arm 280 and carrying a weight The rock shaft 281 also has a rocker arm 285 which extends laterally of; the same side of the rock shaft 281 the rocker arm 280. A control member in the form ofa rocker arm 286 on a horizontal rock shaft 28? which is journaled in aligned horizontal openings in the arms of a bracket 288 has an upwardly offset intermediate portion 289 which extemls'throngh a slot 290 in the bottom of the portion of the runway 10 which extends between third base 16 and the home base 17. The portion 280 of the control member 286 is inclined as shown and constitutes a presser member. The free end portion of the control member 286 is bent laterally as indicated at 291 and rests upon 1 the outer end portion or" the rocker arm A weight 292 on a rocker arm 293 which extends from the rockshaft 287 in the direction opposite that of the control member 286. tends to hold the presser portion 289 in raised position. It is obvious that when the presser portion 289 is depressed, motion will be transmitted through the rocker arm 285, rock shaft 281, rocker arm 280, rocker arm 279, rock shaft 274, and rocker arm 276 to the rocker arm 154, which will be swung downward, thereby depressing the second base stop 1&0. As best seen in Figures 9 and 10 considered together and as also illustrated in Figure 2, the invention provides still other means for depressing the second base stop L10 independently of the remaining stop. Such additional means comprises a horizontal rock shaft 29 1 which extends beneath the left field portion of the game board and is journaled in aligned openings in brackets 295.

The rock shaft 29 1 is provided at its inner end with oppositely extending rocker arms'296 and 297 respectively, the rocker arm 296 carrying a weight 298 and the rocker arm 297 extending across the rocker arn 279. The rock shaft 29-t is provided at its outer end with a rocker arm 299 which extends laterally of the same side of the rock shaft 29; as the rocker arm 297 and has the outer end portion thereof turned laterally as indicated at 300. A control member in the form of a rocker member 301 and a rock shaft 302 which is journaled in aligned openings in the vertical arm of the bracket 303 has an upwardly offset intermediate portion 301 protruding from a slot 305 in the bottom of the outer end portion of the channel 38. The free end portion of the control member 301 is bent laterally as indicated at 306 and extends across the free end portion 300 of the rocker arm 299. The raised intermediate portion 30% of the control. mem ber constitutes a presser member which is inclined downwardly toward the outer end of the channel 38 as shown. A rocker arm 307 extends from the rock shaft 302 in a direction opposite the control member 301 and carries a weight 308. lVhen the prcsser portion 30st of the control member is depressed in the slot 305 motion will be transmitted to the rocker arm 299, rock shaft 29%, rocker arm 297, rocker arm 279, rock shaft 274: and rocker arm 276 which will cause the second base stop 140 to be de pressed.

As illustrated in Figure 9, the invention provides means for depressing the third base stop 141 independently of the remaining stops which comprises a rock shaft 309 iournaled in aligned horizontal openings in the upper ends of vertical arms of brackets 310. The rock shaft 309 has oppositely extending rocker arms 311 and 312 respective ly extending in opposite directions from opposite ends of the rock shaft. The rocker arm 311 carries a weight 313 and is arranged with the free end portion thereof extended underneath the rocker arm 162. The rocker arm 312 is bent upwardly adjacent to its outer end as indicated at 314 to extend slidably through an opening in the game board at the junction of the channels 19 and 20. The opening in the game board through which the upturned end portion 31 1 extends is in the form of a slot, as best seen at 315 in Figure 1 and the upper end portion of said rocker arm is bent laterally across the channel 19 and then back upon itself as indicated at 316 to provide a stop, the free end portion of the part 316 being curved as indicated at 317 to extend across the outer end of the channel 20. The rocker member comprises the parts 317, 316. 314- and 312 and constitutes a control member adapted to be actuated to rock the shaft 309 when the parts 314 are swung outwardly in the slot 315 as because of the impact of a ball which is rolled down the channel 19 against stop 316. The parts 316 and 317 also will act to deflect a ball which is rolled down the channel 19 against the stop 316 into the channel 20. The part 31 1: of the rocker member will swing downwardly as well as outwardly in the stop 315, thereby rocking the shaft 309 and causing the rocker arm 311 to swing upwardly. This upward movement of the rocker arm 311 will cause upward movement of the rocker arm 162, thereby rocking the shaft 160 and causing the rocker arm 159 to swing downward. The downward movement of the rocker arm 159 of course will cause the third base stop 111 to be depressed.

The invention provides other means for depressing the third base stop 11-1 independently of the remaining stops. Such additional means is illustrated in Figure 4. and com prises a rock shaft 313 which is journaled in aligned horizontal openings in the upper end portions of vertical arms of brackets 319. The rock shaft 318 has oppositely extending rocker arms 320 and 321 respectively at one of its ends, the rocker arm 329 carrying a weight- 322 and the rocker arm 321 having a laterally turned end portion extending across the rocker arm 159. A control member is in the form of a rocker arm extending laterally of the rock shaft 397lwhich is journaled in aligned horizontal openings of a bracket which positioned beneath the portion of the runway 10 that extends between second base and third base. The intermediate portion of the control member 323 is upwardly effect as in dicated at 326 and protrudes from a slot 327 in the bottom of the portion of the runway 10 between second base and third base. The free end portion of the control member 323 extends across a rocker arm 323 on the rock shaft 318, the rocker arm 328 extending laterally of the same side of the rock shaft 318 as the rocker arm 321. A. rocker arm which extends from the rock shaft 32 1 in the direction opposite that of the rocker arm nd base portion of the runway and constitutes presser member which is adapted to be depressed in the slot 327 and to then transmit motion through the rocker arm 32S. rocl: shalt 318, rocker arm 321 and rocker arm 159 to the third base stop 14:1; whereby the third base stop will be depressed.

From the foregoing description of the va rious parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood. The game may be played by two people or by two teams. The score maybe kept on a card as in the actual game of baseball. A base running ball is placed in the runway 10 between the step 138 and the adjacent side of the batters box. The pitching ball is placed in the cup or holder 10?, the throwing arm 97' of the pitching mechanism is swung to set position, and the handle 112 then is grasped and is manipulated until thepitch ing mechanism is in a desired position with respect to the propelling member 19 ot the batting mechanism. The thumb piece 128 then is manipulated to release the arm 97 from the latch 117. The spring 103 then acts to swing the arm 97 in the general direction of the propelling member 4410f the batting mechanism and the pitching ball will be ejected from the holder 107 by centrifugal force and willbe thrown toward the propelling member 49 of the batting mechanism. The trajectory of the thrown ball of course will vary with the osition of the pitching mechanism on the game board andtlie skill of the manipulator oithe handle 112 thus is called into play to the end that the thrown ball may be thrown as required to cause or tend to cause a desired result. For example, should the ball hit one of the triggers 82, the propelling member 49 will not be released from the latch plate 56 but the bell 96 will be sounded to indicate a strike on the batter. It the ball should strike the propelling member 49 or the back stop 12 without hitting the triggers 82 or 65 the result counts as a"ball. Therefore, the batter may be retired on strikes as result of skillful manipulation of the 'iitching mechanism or may be given a base on balls as a. result otunslnllful manipulation oi the pitching mechanism.

hen the trigger G is struck with a ballgthe propellingmember 49 will be released from the latch plate 56 and willbe actuated by the spring 69 to project the ball onto the playing field. The surfaces of the various portions vof the playing field are inclined according to a definite plan so that the course which the pitching ballwill take after striking the field surface will vary with the position at which the ball lands on the field surface. The respective stops 1'38, 139, 140

.iediate portion 326 oi the control, member 1S inclined downwardly toward the secbaseball.

the base running ball.

and 141 will be depressed coincidentally with "the swinging of the propelling member 41-9 to pro ect the pitching ball onto the field and any base running ball or balls on the runways then may advance along the runway: It Wlll be obsered that the propelling member 49 has the front face thereof convexly curved transversely thereof and the direction whicht-he pitching ball takes on striking the propelling member l9 and the trigger may be determined by the player who ismampul'ating the pitching mechanism by Y causing the pitching ball to strike the pro- ;ielling member 4-9 and the trigger ($5 laterally of one side or the other of the vertical median line of the propelling member. The pitching mechanism may be manipulated so that the pitching ball will be projected: by the propelling member d9 onto the surface of the right lieldand the pitching ball then will rolldown the inclined right field surface to thechannel 21 and along the latter to the first base portion 14: of the runway 10. Should the pitching ball reach. first base before the base running ball which has been retained against movement along the runway 10 by the stop 138 until the propelling member 19 was actuated, the base running ball will be considered as having been put out as in the case 01" the actual game of Should the pitching ball after striking the propelling member i9 or the back stop without actuating the trigger 65 be deflected by the catching member 137 into the channel 18, the ball will strike the 'presser portion 258 of the control membcr257 and will depress stop 139 so that base running ball. on first base may advance along the runway 10. The pitching ball will roll down the channel 18 to second base. and should it reach second base before the base running ball that was on first base, the latter will be put out. Should the pitching ball be deflected from thebatters box into the channel 19, it will on striking the portion 316 of the control member 312 be de fiected into the channel 20 and at the same time will actuate the control member 312 to cause the third base stop 141 to be depressed and a base running ball that was on third base then may roll along the runway The race then is is scored.

all

pitching ball will lodge should it roll between the arms of the fielding strip after stril:- ing the. inclined field surface adjacent to t ie fielding strip. A put out also is scored when the pitching ball lodges in the pocket provided by any one of the fielding strips or in the cup of the pitching mechanism. A base running ball passing along the runway from first base to second base will depress the presser portion 270 of the control member 267 so that the second base stop 1&0 will be depressed to permit the advance of any base running ball which happens to be on second base at that time. The last named base running ball in passing along the runflay between second base and third base will actuate the presser portion 326 of the control member 323 thus depressing the stop 111 so that a base running ball on third base will proceed along the runway 10 toward the home base 17. lhe base running ball rolling along the runway 10 from third base toward home base will depress the portion 289 of the control member 286 and thus will cause the second base stop 1 10 to be depressed.

The pitching ball if projected to the extreme outer portion of the centerfield will roll onto the presser plate 230 and will cause all the stops 138, 139, 1&0 and 1%1 to be depressed and to remain depressed until all base running balls on the runway have reached the home base, after which the pitching ball is removed by hand from the presser plate 230 when the home run is completed. Guard plat-es 331 limit the entrance to the surface of the presser plate 230 to a relatively narrow opening so that the pitching. ball is batted onto the presser plate infrequently.

In actual practice, it has been found that the pitching ball will be projected onto the presser plate 230 during the playing of a game of baseball with the apparatus about as often as home runs will be made during the playing of the actual game of baseball. Should the pitching ball strike the outer portion of the left hand section of the centerfiel-d, it may roll to the channel 34 and actuate the control member an. which will cause the first base stop 139 to be depressed and will permit the base running ball on first base, if any, to proceed along the runway to second base. The race then will be between the pitching ball which will move from the channel 3st into the channel 22 and along the latter toward second base and the base running ball which moves from first base toward second base. Should the pitching ball strike the outer portion of the left field on being projected onto the field surface by the-propelling mechanism so, it may move along the channel 38 and actuate the control member 301 which will cause the second base stop 1 10 to be depress-ed and the race then is between the pitching ball moving along the channels 38 and toward third base and the base running ball that was on second base and is permitted by the depression of the stop member 140 to move along the runway 10 toward third base. A run is made when the base running ball has made a complete circuit of the bases and has arrived at the home base without having been put out in any one of the ways which have been set out in the foregoing. The stops 138, 139, 1 M) and 141 return instantly to raised or operative position after having been depressed as a resultof the actuation of any one of the several control members except in case of a home run the control plate 230 and as previously stated, the stops will remain depressed so long as the control plate 230 remains depressed by the weight of the pitching ball thereon.

it will be apparent from the foregoing that the outcome of the game will be determined not only by chance but also by the skill of the players in manipulating the pitching mechanism. It also will be manifest that the same situations will arise in the playing of a game with the apparatus as in the playing of the actual game of baseball. The outcome of the game will be in doubt until the final play has been made as in the case of the actual game of baseball. The game apparatus therefore provides a wholesome means for ailording entertainment and amusement to both adults and more youth ful persons.

Obviously, my invention is susceptible of embodimentin forms other than that illustrated in the accompanying drawings and I therefore consider as my own all such modifications and adaptations of the form of the device herein described as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

For example, it may be possible to apply magnetism or electricity, by contact. to the various levers employed in the mechanism to produce movements.

1 claim:

1. In a game apparatus of the character described, a boxhke case substantially rectangnlar in horizontal sectional contour, said case having a removable cover, a game board fitting in said case and located between the planes of the upper and lower ends of the case, said game board being formed to provide an infield. an outer-field, and a runway dividing the infield from the outer field. the portions of the side walls of the case which extend above the game board providing a fence for the outcrfield and a space being provided within the case between the game board and the bottom of the case, a corner portion of said case being separate from the body of the case and hinged to the bodv of the case to permit access to the space within, said case between said game board and the bottom of the case. 

